Retention probability of purse seine grating sieve based on fish morphology

The retention-releasing patterns of the double-grid grating sieve placed on the deck of the purse seiners were revealed for four case species (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinella aurita, Engraulis encrasicolus and Boops boops) using a simulated data predicted from total length (TL) - maximum height (Hmax) and TL - maximum width (Wmax) regressions. To calculate these relationships, samples were collected during commercial purse seine operations between 3 April 2017 and 21 March 2018 in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea (Turkey). Optimal Bar Spacing (OBS) values corresponding to minimum landing sizes or the length at first maturity were calculated separately for each species. OBS values were found 10.97 mm for sardine (Sardina pilchardus), 11.29 mm for round sardine (Sardinella aurita), 7.78 mm for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and 17.89 mm for bogue (Boops boops). The bar spacing regulations may constitute a promising management measure to release undersized fish for the purse seine fishery in the Aegean Sea.